February 16: Saint Giuseppe Allamano
Founder of the Consolata Missionaries and the Consolata Missionary Sisters
Giuseppe Allamano was born on January 21, 1851, in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Piedmont Italy, into a deeply religious family. His mother, Maria Anna Cafasso, was the younger sister of Saint Giuseppe Cafasso. She was a model of life and faith for her young son.
After completing primary school in his hometown, Giuseppe finished his secondary studies at the Salesian Oratory of Valdocco in Turin, under the spiritual guidance of Saint John Bosco, who accompanied him throughout his formation. Ordained a priest on September 20, 1873, he began his pastoral ministry in the parish of Passerano d’Asti, led by his uncle, who was also a priest. Later, he entered the diocesan seminary, first as an assistant and then, at only twenty-five years of age, as Spiritual Director of the seminarians.
In 1880 he was entrusted with the leadership of the Shrine of the Consolata in Turin, accepting the role out of obedience. It was a responsibility others had declined because of administrative difficulties. He remained there for forty-six years, dedicating himself zealously to the spiritual life of the city. He attracted inumerable faithful in the celebration of Mass and the reception of Holy Communion. He devoted himself to hearing confessions, promoted novenas and pilgrimages, and fostered Marian devotion. He also concerned himself with the social conditions of workers. A pioneer of the Catholic press, he also devoted himself to the spiritual formation of clergy and laity.
Convinced that every priest is a missionary and that mission represents the highest fulfillment of the priestly vocation, he gathered priests and collaborators for a shared missionary work. After years of preparation and with the approval of the Archbishop of Turin, Agostino Richelmy, and the Subalpine Bishops’ Conference, he founded the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries on January 29, 1901.
In 1902, the first group of missionaries departed for Kenya, followed by others in the months that followed. He immediately thought of supporting the missionaries with consecrated women and, for this reason, turned to the Sisters of Cottolengo. Later, on January 29, 1910, with the encouragement of Pope Pius X, he founded the Institute of the Consolata Missionary Sisters.
Allamano’s spirituality was based on three dimensions: ad gentes – ad pauperes – ad vitam [to nations – to the poor – to lifelong duration]. The ad gentes dimention expressed his charism: every priest was to live in conformity with Christ, the ultimate Missionary - and being sent among distant peoples was the natural fulfillment of the priesthood. The Virgin of the Consolata, patroness of the two Institutes - the second dimension -inspired commitment to the poor, living the Gospel through concrete charity and promoting justice, peace, and consolation. Finally, community life represented the third dimension: the Institute was regarded as a family for life, in which to share joys, sufferings, and responsibilities, even to the total gift of self.
While caring for the Shrine of the Consolata, Allamano devoted himself tirelessly to the two Institutes: he welcomed candidates, met weekly with members, sought financial support, and maintained a steady correspondence with those on mission.
He died peacefully at the Shrine of the Consolata on February 16, 1926. He was canonized on October 20, 2024, by Pope Francis.